Story: Pounamu – jade or greenstone

New Zealand’s pounamu deposits

New Zealand’s pounamu deposits

Almost all pounamu deposits, found only in the South Island, are nephrite. There is a single occurrence of bowenite at Milford Sound (Piopiotahi), but there is no jadeite in New Zealand.

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Source: Russell J. Beck with Maika Mason, Mana pounamu: New Zealand jade. Auckland: Reed, 2002, p. 26

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Pounamu – jade or greenstone - Pounamu – several names', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/map/7649/new-zealands-pounamu-deposits (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 12 Jun 2006